Saturday, October 27, 2007

( Naar de Nederlandse vertaling.) A few days ago Evette Dorham contacted me with a request for information. She has planned to make a book about her father, Kenny Dorham ( 1924 - 1972 ), who was a well known bebop trumpet player.She says: I'm writing a book about my father and I'm gathering photos, audio, video or their memories they have of meeting my dad or seeing his performances of listening to his music. I know he traveled in Europe and I have met fans who have a picture they or a parent took of my dad somewhere in their travels or have an amature recording.

Kenny Dorham, born in Fairfield TX (USA) August 1924 started to play trumpet in some swing orchestras and in the mid 1940s he was part of the band of Billy Eckstine and Dizzy Gillespie - two musicians who played in the new developed bebop style of music. In 1948 and 1949 he played in the Charlie Parker Quintet. In the 1950s he was one of the founders of the Jazz Messengers and played in the Jazz Prophets. He replaced Clifford Brown, who died in a traffic accident, in the Max Roach Quintet. In the 1960s he played in bands with Joe Henderson.

Six weeks ago I posted a contribution about Kenny Dorham's Debut album . Evette wrote about that: Thank you for adding your thoughts on my dad Kenny Dorham, Hans. Evette continued: I know my dad had a strong affinity for Scandinavia and nearby, and this past July I made my on travel to visit and Rotterdam while attending the North Sea Jazz Festival. The late, great drummer Billy Higgens told me shortly before he passed on (May 2001) that I should retrace all my father's musicial footsteps so that is what I am doing. To learn more about my dad as a man, a musician and as a good citizen of the world who loved and found kindness wherever he traveled in the world.

If one you have pictures, stories, films or other interesting information about her father, Kenny Dorham, you can help Evette with her research for her book. You can contact her directly if you wish, by mailing her at kennydorhamproject@yahoo.com or to keepswinging@live.nl. She promissed provide any credits should that be necessary.

If you have a subject that should be discussed here and you love to share it with the visitors of this blog please contact me ( keepswinging@live.nl ). Maybe you're the next guest contributor.